Angry_Gumball

I remember stumbling upon that video a couple months ago (Might have even shared it on here too!), definitely was neat to see! I love the ride op spiel in which he forgets what he was saying (at about 7:42). Also sounds like handrail-sitters were an issue back then too, sounds exactly what I hear today at the park More throwback...I shared this a long while back but doesn't hurt to bring it back to share again! Good old Schwarzkopf Shuttle Loop action! I don't know why the light post is shaking, and please excuse the extreme close up videography (and loss of where the train went....)

This gem this past weekend...was a great first coaster to kick off my 2013! (Giant Dipper SCBB)

^Agreed, most definitely need covered/shaded stations and queues. I guess you can say that Gold Striker will be the park's first coaster to feature a covered station since Grizzly (only counting the coasters that are still there at the park). I definitely think Gold Striker will be a nice kick in the rear for CGA to get back on its feet (which means I should avoid Saturdays especially during the summer)!

Sorry to burst any bubbles but I don't see Vortex leaving anytime soon. Yes, it can be brutal and yes I wish it was a bit more comfortable of an experience...but yea, not leaving. I think I noted this before but what makes Vortex brutal to me is the restraints (man, I miss the "noodles" filter haha)...the rather high shoulders and little head space...not to mention how firm the restraints are. I realistically don't see another coaster immediately following GS. I can see however something be added to the water park as it could use more slides and such, followed by a couple flat rides. In a few years I can see another coaster.

Minus that final turn that kinked my neighbor's neck (still hurts from back in September) Grizzlys pretty smooth IMHO. Unfortunately however, Grizzly does a whole lot of nothing.

I have a feeling we will see some time in April or early May. I had heard from an employee (conducting surveys at park enteance, got in conversation about 'the new attraction' when it was just leveled dirt) last season about Memorial Day weekend but to me that seems too far especially with the progress that's been made. Definitely wont be open on March 29th.

Looking good, getting steeper every day! I never knew that the cabin would ever be lowered into its burrow if you want to say. I guess it makes sense from a maintenance standpoint. Oh, here's an interesting photo of Gold Striker's site, before and after! The 'after' photo is not the most up-to-date but is one of the recent ones I was able to find at more or less the same angle. The 'before' photo was shot back in 2008 when I initially anticipated ground clearing.

Whaaaa.....? Speaking of a Vortex paint job... they should bring back the green and black. I liked it way better. OH! And brand new trains... yeah, new trains. Woah...what on earth did I just type? I guess that's what happens when you're not feeling good, can't get your thoughts straight lol I meant to say that it seems that their focus this season seems to be touching up the buildings and such.

Actually Flight Deck's paint was never completed last season and actually looked the same when I saw it Saturday. This season their focus seems to be the building touchups/repaints. (I don't know how I typed that rather embarrassing non-comprehensive post haha...focus being the focus??)

Pictorium has been dormant for quite a while now, only somewhat gets used during Haunt, where one of the mazes makes a brief entry into the building. Unless paying attention you'd probably not realize you just walked through the building.

Carousel Columbia looks great! It's good to see that Cedar Fair re-paints classic attractions. Ok, this photo did have its saturation pumped up a bit. Carousel was painted last year hence it still looking good but I beefed up the saturation a bit. Vortex actually looks quite nice right along with Star Tower.

Greetings! After checking out Gold Striker's construction yesterday, the group decided to head over the hill and visit SCBB since they technically operate year round (and we needed some wood to ride). We had 9 rides running, pretty much what Robman showed last week which was plenty to keep us busy! This was also my first time shooting in RAW with the DSLR, as well as toying with a polarizing filter I picked up. So if anyone wants to critique my work, feel free! (I won't storm off over any negatives anyone points out, will only help me in the future, want to improve my technique ) Riding Haunted Castle, Blue Fire Guy makes an attempt to do the "Piers rides the Ghost Train Drunk" classic TPR video...funny stuff! NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THE YOUNGER SET, STRONG LANGUAGE! Pacman Smash fun: Highlights: -Strange seeing no Hurricane, was my first time at the 'Walk since Hurricane was taken out. -Very little to no lines -Pacman Smash! (Air Hockey on crack) -Overall just fun day with the group! Disclaimer: Some of these photos are not for the squeamish! You have been warned! Yay, we have arrived to our destination! We decided to save the cash on parking and take the walk. The newly painted gondolas are back up on their metal coathanger-like framing...looks nice! New Haunted Castle (or what we dubbed NHAC, a play on NTAG) Rawkin Roler Jeff and Blue Fire Guy And more NHAC! I've always lived the bright colors down at the 'walk! I could live with an empty station like this Sea Swings, the ride where the empty swings either nearly collided into us, or actually did bash our knees! The main reason why we came down after catching up on Gold Striker construction The curve that sends you slamming into your friends if/when you don't brace yourself! We decided to take a real brief break from the rides and look at what's going on down in the lower end (from the other side of the fence) The new Cyclone/Zero Gravity hasn't come in yet. I am curious to see what is though! "We love Arrow Log Flumes!" Alright, time to head back and do some more rides! Artsy fartsy up close shot of Dipper's laminated track An upskirt shot of Giant Dipper Hostess?? Twinkies??? Nah, gotta be Little Debbies More freshly painted gondolas Giant Dipper's newly painted sign...love it! Giant Dipper porn...Skid pads! Time to ride the classic Carousel! While I love the looks of CGA's carousel, this carousel lives as my favorite...it runs at a quick pace and it has.... Rings! Speedway! (Whip Jr) Wheee...ow! Cap'n Jack Flint's Pirate Ship...pretty long name, eh? Creepy as always! Pirate Ship As close to cramming in as we could get, had a 5-rider limit, we had 6 of us. In the mean time, over at Double Shot, we found something pretty intersting... Decapited bird anyone? You shouldn't fudge with S&S towers...shouldn't even thinking of pooping on them because they will chop you up! Rolercstrluver trying his luck at the pitching game More NHAC! Down we go! Off to Giant Dipper (again) where we were being tossed about, slammed into each other and experiencing some strange sideways airtime! A true station flyby sans being gimicky! And a train full of happy riders! Meanwhile I spot something interesting in the sky...some kind of refraction. Back over to the bird-slicing/dicing/chopping Double Shot (or Bird Chopper) Up they go! "No! Please don't slice me up!" Meanwhile, someone (Rawkincoaster?) lost their chapstick on the beach after riding, where we discovered the bird waste land...right at the foot of the tower! Such an innocent-looking tower... Yet birds get pretty much demolished by this! Well, sadly it's that time, the time where the roll up doors are pulled down and the rides go to sleep for the evening! Wait...Hurricane's on the map? Can't be...I don't see Hurricane anywhere! (Yes I know it's already in NM) In the mean time, this was probably the only photo I could get of what is sitting on the pad. I have a photo of it mentally, but I can't quite hook myself up to a computer and upload it Basically, there's a bunch of rusty/dirty I-beams sitting up on the deck. Not sure if they're left over from Hurricane or if they will be for UT. I'll end the update with what consumed a little extra time of our evening...Pacman Smash! This innocent Air Hockey game will leave you and 3 other friends scrambling to hit the 30 or so mini pucks! I have video of it, will add it to report when it's uploaded.

*confused* Edit: now I get it, didn't realize Rob posted photos

Jeff posted a nice, brief summary of today's checkup on Gold Striker. It is coming along nicely, and they are working their way upwards towards the topped off lift. On route to CGA I decided to do a pit stop to Best Buy and pick up a filter for my camera since it was along the way. Also this was my first photo shoot using RAW format. It pays to use it. Just after the shoot, we headed off over the hill for some SCBB off-season fun. But until then, here's some photos! From down at ground level, you can see that the drop has grown! The topped off lift The miners were pretty busy today Get your 3D glasses! Only $1! Through the trees! And yes, the elephant is still hiding out back there! So we took the trek up to the top of the garage for a nice birds eye view of the construction. A couple bents waiting to go up Ooh...maybe we'll get to see it raise? In the mean time, the crew is working on the supports and such. Call me crazy, but I see potential 'scream tunnel.' Definitely going to be head choppers to say the least. A brief look over the park, towards Top Deck Flight Gun. "Pssh...what's this thing going up next to our businesses? Oh great, more noise we have to put up with!" *drives off* Another look at the lift...going to connect real soon! Tight squeezage! Naw...we won't see the bent go up...we gotta get going now... *books it like a mad-man* OMG, I'm finally getting a photo of a bent going up! Seriously, I've been waiting to catch this since summer! The wood is springing up! And then it just dangled as they rotated it and got it into position. Then it was being moved into position. Ok, time to get heading off over the hill, we've got several TPR members waiting on us to get them, one already at the 'Walk waiting for us to get there! Thanks for looking!

Worked for me too, all 3 of them... I don't know what's going on but I guess you can't go wrong with a Youtube video Now let's not ask how many attempts it took for me to screen capture the video...I had frame rate issues where the video played at twice the speed of the audio, not being synced up whatsoever...

3rd time's a charm, right? Decided to screen cap the video and get it up on Youtube for our viewing pleasures.

I'm not sure what technology they'd use for the reclining chairs, but doesn't a 4D coaster already essentially do this (ok, it does a little more of a full rotation more or less)? I can see a third guide rail being used to control the angle of the cars, much like the additional rails on a 4D coaster. Don't quote me on this though, just a thought. Reason why I brought up the 4D coaster, because it's something that works...so I don't see why something like this wouldn't work since the idea's already there to some extent.

I'm sure that many of you may have now finally got the link to work, but here's an updated link to the KTVU coverage: http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/santa-clara-great-america-unveils-massive-new/vpZjy/

This machine at work...and it's big red e-stop buttons! Also the sounds it makes, the hissing if air, reminds me of a brake run.

^It's probably a good 90 or more minutes away. It takes me about 20-25 to get to CGA, and about 45 to get to DK. I'll be out towards the park with the group and plan on getting some updated construction and watch some it happen. Yup, that's the excuse we make to meet up during the off season:)

I think there will be different experiences for each area of the train. I think just about everyone will experience nice floater air during the flyby since its pretty low (and the train will probably be at its top speed). On the other hand I can see being towards the back offering some pops coming out of some of the turnarounds, or that banked hump leading into prudential turn. All of this hypothesizing is based on my No Limits take on Gold Striker which looks pretty accurate (sorry not trying to brag or be overly confident on my track ). It's up on the exchange but I've been tweaking it quite a bit since I've uploaded it, making adjustments as I saw the construction progress.

Yea, I'm noticing that now...Should have ripped the video somehow and uploaded it to my Youtube so we'd have it to see again. I did watch it just a few hours ago however Edit: I had posted the link on my CGA Insider FB page I created earlier this month, should work right there (you'll have to go a few posts down). https://www.facebook.com/pages/CGA-Insider/109922919184503?ref=stream Mod Joey Edit: Fixed link.

^ & ^* Works for me! It even loads up on my iPhone! Some key things in that segment: -GS won't open with the park in march, but some time during the spring -GS will be nothing like Grizzly (was waiting to see them say that it would be more thrilling ) -It is called "The Gold Striker" according to KTVU, found each iteration of that name quite distracting

^I'll be there as well! Should be a nice Saturday off for me (I'm off work every other saturday, this one's my day off...not to mention, I hear the weather's supposed to be decent). First up though we'll be getting some Gold Porn before heading over the hill if you want to say. Agreed though, kicking off my 2013 riding Giant Dipper as my first coaster is not a bad idea at all! I hope to ride it more this season too along with Undertow!

It's not really an airtime hill but it does deliver a crazy amount of air...being the drop after the barrel roll on Superman Ultimate Flight at SFDK. You are literally being pulled out of your seat the entire trip down but are immediately forced into your seat pretty hard once the track levels out and heads into the non-inverting loop. Yes, my thighs were a bit sore afterwards (after riding it 6 times in a row within the first hour). I'm really looking forward to Gold Striker's flyby/speed hill. It is nice and low and the train will pass through it immediately after the initial drop. It should provide a nice bit of floater air in every seat and should also provide some nice head choppers from the overhead frame work.